Restored Earth has made a grant of £10,000 to the Shropshire Wildlife Trust's 'Scrapyard Challenge' project, from funds it has received, which is helping to clear a former car breaker’s yard and return it to nature.

Shropshire Wildlife Trust has bought a 6-hectare scrapyard as a nature reserve. Recently closed after 50 years, the yard lies on one of Britain's largest peatbogs. Known as the Marches Mosses, this is an internationally important peatbog and one of the rarest habitats on earth.

To return it to a condition where wildlife can thrive, Shropshire Wildlife Trust needs to raise £500,000 to clean decades of waste, remove 100,000 tyres, thousands of litres of disused oil and tonnes of wing mirrors and bumpers. The trust will also clear out several oil sump pits, before covering the site with peat which will allow the bog habitat to regenerate and plant species to return.

The 'Scrapyard Challenge' is a perfect fit for the aims of Restored Earth and we are delighted to be able to help the project.

Sara Pearce, Shropshire Wildlife Trust Project Officer, has said of our grant: "Quite frankly, I’m bowled over by Restored Earth choosing to support our Scrapyard Challenge project with this generous grant. It’s marvellous and has given the fundraising appeal a real boost. This is a unique and challenging project but one that really fits well with Restored Earth’s vision and aims."

Donate to the 'Scrapyard Challenge'

Shropshire Wildlife Trust has put together a broad funding package for the project, including Heritage Lottery Fund, European funds and the Government. They also need to raise match funding from individuals through the appeal. You can donate to the Shropshire Wildlife Trust’s ‘Scrapyard Challenge’ by visiting their Just Giving page at http://www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk or by texting YARD16 £5 to 70070.

Take a look at the site

BBC Midlands Today visited the site to talk to the Shropshire Wildlife Trust about the ‘Scrapyard Challenge’ project. Find out more and watch aerial footage of the site.